A Beta followed me home

[Simon T]

Hi All,
Having been without a Lancia for 4 years, I got approval from Senior Management to get a Beta. It's a 1979 Beta Coupe. Hoping for some advice on a few issues.
It has had an electric fuel pump installed, and the manual pump by-passed. Since driving it around a bit, I have found that idling and coasting tends to cause rough running. Is it possible that the pump is delivering too much pressure & forcing more fuel into the carby than it needs? (There is no fuel return) Any suggestions to remedy this? What else could be causing it?
It has an aftermarket 4-2-1 exhaust in, with longer individual pipes than the standard 4-2-1 and no support until the rear of the car. Also it hasn't got any flexible connection. Am I better off ditching it for a stock system, or getting a flexible section and better support hooked up? It sounds like there is already a leak at the back of the head.
I checked the exhaust valve clearances last night (motor was cool - only run a few hours before) and they are around 0.28-0.3 mm. Is this bad enough to stop driving until I get some new shims?
Any suggestions for parts suppliers around Brisbane - or am I better off getting them from bigger supply shops, either inter-state or O/S?
Thanks, Simon

[sickchilly]

0.28mm or 11 thou is pretty tight for exhaust clearance. I'm sure you could run it, but I'd be pretty nervous myself. Hopefully it's staying cool and not running the slightest bit lean?! I'd definitely adjust ASAP. I personally don't like to let the exhuasts get tighter than 16 thou (0.4mm).

On the aftermarket exhuast, I'd definitely find the leak first. If it's cracked, that may affect your decision. If it's just loose, it is probably due to the lack of a flex joint and proper support before and after the flex joint. I'd remove it first and check for cracks as well as straighness of the flange.

I generally do not like running an electric pump without return. It's possible that you could be forcing the carb too much, but most carbs can deal with electric pumps. Except IDFs they usually seem to like a lower pressure with appropriate regulation. So is it possible to put the return back on? I assume Euro 79's had one, the US cars did anyway. You could either put the mechanical pump back on or you could install an inline regulator. I'd opt for the regulator myself as I like the better starting of the electric pumps, especially have the car sits for a while.

[Simon T]

After speaking to Italia Spares when getting some goodies, they convinced me to take it to Woolloongabba to get the valves done. Worked out well, as I was having trouble sourcing a valve shim tool. At least I know the valves are now ok.

He told me that the exhaust leak was at the head, so one of my next projects is to see if I can make it seal - hopefully without needing to pull the head off.

The rough running has still got me tricked. The PO had said that the car used a lot of oil. When I got it, I found that the hose from the PCV to the air intake was disconnected (and covered in oil) - and so I hooked it up and the oil consumption is now bugger all. But I noticed today that the hose has a lot of oil mist flowing out of it when running. The carb throat also had a layer of oil all around the edge, and there was a tiny bit of oil in the bottom of the air filter housing. This seems to be a lot of oil coming from the PCV. Is this normal? How do I check the operation of the PCV?

Thanks, Simon

[Shane Taylor]

If you are in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, the go to GT Motors @ Mayne, near the Bowen Hills train station for advice 07 3252 4928 and ask for John.